​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

 Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Image of older adults gathering at the table for a meal.
As of January 1, 2023, there are 38 operating or approved contin​uing care retirement communities​​,​ known as CCRCs, in Maryland.  The CCRCs, both operating and under construction, contains over 16,000 continuing care units, of which over 12,000 are independent living, over 2,000 are assisted living, and over 2,000 are nursing care. 

The Maryland Department of Aging is the agency charged with administering the continuing care laws.  The primary continuing care laws are located at Title 10, Subtitle 4, of the Human Services Article (“HSA”), Annotated Code of Maryland, and Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 32.02.01, which can be accessed below under the “General Information” section.

Although the legal definition of “continuing care” is complex, in general, “continuing care” exists when all three of the following are present:  
  1. The consumer pays an entrance fee that is, at a minimum, three times the average monthly fee;

  2. The provider furnishes or makes available shelter and health-related services to persons 60 years of age or older; and

  3. The shelter and services are offered under a contract that lasts for a period of more than one year, usually for life. 
The contract that is entered into between a CCRC provider and a resident is known as a continuing care agreement.  Continuing care agreements are legally binding contracts between the provider and the resident that outline the responsibilities between the provider and the resident.  Only a portion of the content of continuing care agreements is regulated by continuing care laws.  Much of the content of the continuing care agreements will vary from community to community, as does the scope of the continuing care offered at these communities.  For example, some CCRCs may provide full coverage nursing care in an on-site health center at no additional charge to the resident, while other CCRCs may provide priority admission to a nursing facility on a fee-for-service basis.

Entrance fees and monthly fees also vary widely.  Generally, these fees are based on the level of care (independent living, assisted living, or nursing care), size of the unit, number of residents living in the unit, and type of contract entered into.  Depending on the provider, these fees may or may not cover a wide range of services.

There is financial risk involved in choosing a CCRC, as large sums of money are paid in advance for future services.  Also, some continuing care agreements provide for a refundable entrance fee, which may require that the unit be reoccupied (and, possibly, that a new entrance fee be paid by the new occupant) before a refund is paid.  There is a risk that these units may not be reoccupied (or a new entrance fee may not be paid) in a timely manner.

The Department urges anyone who is considering moving into a CCRC to consult with an attorney and a
financial advisor familiar with these types of agreements before signing any documents.

For additional information, please see the tabs below.

 CCRC General Information

General Information

For Consumers

 

​The Maryland Department of Aging provides a comprehensive consumer information packet for persons interested in learning more about Continuing Care Retirement Communities. You can download information below or request a packet be mailed to you by calling 410-767-1100. 

For Providers

 

​Providers of Continuing Care in Maryland must complete the CCRC Development Process as specified in Human Services Article, Sections 10-401 through 10-499 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.  As the regulatory authority for Continuing Care, the Maryland Department of Aging provides an information packet for a potential provider that describes the Development and Application Process.  Forms may be downloaded below or you can request a packet be mailed to you by calling 410-767-1100.


Disclaimer

 
Data reported in the "Unit Matrix by County, Contract Type, and Levels of Care"  is an unofficial reference guide to the continuing care retirement communities ("CCRCs") regulated by the Maryland Department of Aging ("Department"). The Department makes no guarantee as to the accuracy of the information contained wherein information is based on representations submitted by CCRCs to the Department. You are urged to contact an individual CCRC for the most current information with respect to that community.




 ​​​



Human Trafficking GET HELP

National Human Trafficking Hotline - 24/7 Confidential

1-888-373-7888 233733 More Information on human trafficking in Maryland

Customer Service Promise

The State of Maryland pledges to provide constituents, businesses, customers, and stakeholders with friendly and courteous, timely and responsive, accurate and consistent, accessible and convenient, and truthful and transparent services.

Take Our Survey

Help Stop Fraud in State Government

The Maryland General Assembly’s Office of Legislative Audits operates a toll-free fraud hotline to receive allegations of fraud and/or abuse of State government resources. Information reported to the hotline in the past has helped to eliminate certain fraudulent activities and protect State resources.

More Information